Cost of an ebike manufactured in the USA
- Thread starter wings02
- Start date
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
the only part for the most part that can be made here is the frame. there are some components but not really for e bikes. Now you can get a bike built in the us but then it is going to be a higher end bike. why would someone want to pay more for a bike with cheapish parts just because its bit in the us?
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
Yes Mission does and the bike is manufactured 15 miles from me.
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
Yes, I was agreeing with you.
ChezCheese:)
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Kitsap Co, WA
Boeing seems to have some spare manufacturing capacity, given that they're discontinuing the 747 & cutting back on 787 Dreamliner production...
rich c
Well-Known Member
You can buy a Chinese electric car for $1,200. https://jalopnik.com/the-impressive-engineering-behind-the-cheapest-electric-1843922452
A Tesla Model 3 costs $38,000. Based on those two numbers, a $1,500 Chinese eBike would cost $47,500 made in America.
But really, how would any of us know what an American made eBike cost? Who would want to build a factory based on numbers of eBikes sold in America? European eBike companies are leaving the American market because everyone in America wants a 28mph throttle eBike that costs $1,500. The $5,000 market in America would hardly support any business!
A Tesla Model 3 costs $38,000. Based on those two numbers, a $1,500 Chinese eBike would cost $47,500 made in America.
But really, how would any of us know what an American made eBike cost? Who would want to build a factory based on numbers of eBikes sold in America? European eBike companies are leaving the American market because everyone in America wants a 28mph throttle eBike that costs $1,500. The $5,000 market in America would hardly support any business!
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
because Americans are cheap and bikes are looked at as toys and e bikes more so. just look at all the cheap e bikes sold. no way would they sell that much if the price was 2k or more for the same thing.
TooMuchWitt
Member
Biktrix Ultra Eagle is made in the US then assembled in Canada, so that's close-ish.
McCorby
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
The Livewire motor is not manufactured by Mission Motors. I’m pretty sure they went out of business in 2015.
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
You could very well be correct. When the LiveWire was in the planning stage 6 years ago, I thought Mission was listed in the yearly stock report. I've read so much about the bike I may have read it in an article. I like the bike a lot. I own a full dresser and I'd like to get something smaller to putt around. The LiveWire is just too expensive for what it is.
pxpaulx
Well-Known Member
It simply boils down to cost, infrastructure and competition. The Chinese, German, Japanese (to name a few) already created the market before ebikes were on the map here - as a result they have the manufacturing capability to build at scale and low cost, and provide those motors ready for use to the bike manufacturers. What incentive does an American based company have to attempt building a bike from scratch over digging through some shenzhen parts bin distributor that will put a bike together for a couple hundred bucks and ship it to them across the ocean at a cost-per-unit where significant profit can be made? Clearly Americans are happy with the notion that 'buying American' means buying something assembled in the US, regardless of part sourcing (just look at the auto industry!). Until ebikes become a notable % of every day transportation (and that is a long way off), nobody would dream of manufacturing ebikes from start to finish in the US.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Precisely, which one? Specialized with headquarters in the US, engineering in Switzerland, and manufacture in Taiwan?
rich c
Well-Known Member
Are the tires, wheels, tubes, spokes, nipples, axles, bearings, pedals, cranks, chainring, handlebar, grips, headlight, and taillight made in USA?Let's take Vintage Electric for example.
They make everything by themselves.
Frame is made in USA, battery case is made in USA (they do not use Reention or Hailong)
The brakes, derailleur, anything that Shimano makes can be replaced with Sram.
I think what's NOT made in USA are the batteries, motor, display,.. pretty much everything electronic.
What would happen if they replace the batteries with Interstate 18650 lithium ion?
Also.. although not American, ASI (Canadian) makes motor as well.
It might give better impression than Chinese motors.
Ready
Member
It's hard to talk about this without bringing up politics. Much of the manufacturing cost is prohibitively high because of regulations. Labor rates for one is a huge factor. There are many rules that hamper US industries to domestically produce or source materials. For example, there's only 1 mine that can produce lithium ion batteries in the US (can't remember where). To avoid the hassle, we outsource. Product may be designed here, but to produce it here, you'll have to jump through hoops.
People are cheap and most are willing to sacrifice quality to save a few bucks. Also, quality is all relative. Some people are happy with a bike they can ride a few years. Others want bikes that last forever-and is willing to pay for it.
People are cheap and most are willing to sacrifice quality to save a few bucks. Also, quality is all relative. Some people are happy with a bike they can ride a few years. Others want bikes that last forever-and is willing to pay for it.
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
Most of Race Face's products are made overseas.
Goodyear's bicycle tires are made overseas.
Many of those are made overseas.
Generally, I think most people consider if the frame is "Made in the USA" then that constitutes an American bike.
BigNerd
Well-Known Member
I would consider it "made" in USA, if they assembled the bike in the US, even with global parts.
At least this way, you know QC was done domestically, was shipped from the US and replacement parts would be available if needed. I believe that's the model The Electric Bicycle Company uses.
At least this way, you know QC was done domestically, was shipped from the US and replacement parts would be available if needed. I believe that's the model The Electric Bicycle Company uses.
KLee
Active Member
Nova Haibike
Well-Known Member
The Federal Trade Commission governs what can be claimed as "Made in the USA" vs "Assembled in the USA." But the laws have become confusing and it seems the FTC either contradicts itself or that companies don't really comply with the FTC. The Electric Bike Company says "Built in America (with global materials)" which makes it sound like they source steel and build bikes. But their frames are made overseas and only painted here.
tomjasz
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Minnesnowta
I typically hate necro threads but this “made in USA” bold lie by several companies is fraud.
I bought a cast iron table “made in the USA” it shipped UN assembled and the carton was marked with item count, case number, and sea container registration.
ANY importer can be tracked. Customs at work.
EBC free list, tip of the iceberg?
I bought a cast iron table “made in the USA” it shipped UN assembled and the carton was marked with item count, case number, and sea container registration.
ANY importer can be tracked. Customs at work.
EBC free list, tip of the iceberg?
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